Apiophobia. Apiphobia. Melissophobia.

Call it whatever you want. I call it a fear of bees — and for good reason.

As a 5-year-old boy, I was stung by a bee — right in the eye. I remember playing in the neighbor’s lawn and seeing that blasted buzzard making a bee-line toward my face. After the sting, I made my own one-eyed bee-line across the street, looking for my mom to make it all better. And she did. She stretched this whimpering kid out on the couch and, with a set of tweezers, pulled that stinger out of my eye and immediately placed a towel full of ice cubes on my face. No need for a doctor’s visit. Dr. Mom had it all under control. After the whole bee-sting-tweezer incident, I made sure that bees and I never saw eye to eye again. Here’s how.

On a kindergarten field trip, we visited a classmate’s bee farm. I stayed on the bus.

When the birds and the bees discussion came about, I opted for the aviary.

And, today, when an occasional bee makes its way inside my car, I immediately exit the vehicle.

This is not to say that I have not been stung again by bees since the eye incident. I most certainly have, including the time a bee flew in my shirt sleeve and stung me repeatedly in the armpit until I stripped myself and repeatedly stomped that varmint.

Despite my anguish over bees, there is one thing about them I really love — honey. I have a teaspoon of it with skim milk in my coffee every morning. This has been a healthier option than the creamer I enjoyed so much, and, I am told, the local honey helps with my allergies.

In several of our Iowa Living magazines in August, you can learn about local bee producers and what draws them to this hobby. Discover why they are attracted to bees and why people like me are fearful of them. Check out the stories throughout the month as they publish at www.iowalivingmagazines.com.

And, in the meantime, keep your eyes open — or maybe shut — for bees.

Have a magnificent Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

BUSINESS FEATURE
Customer service through technology

By Colson Thayer

When business owners want to increase profits, one of the first places they often look to is decreasing costs. One of the biggest expenses for any business is payroll. As technology advances, companies are looking for opportunities to reduce that cost. And, sometimes, it means replacing a human with technology.

[...]

Yards with personality
Residents share how their landscaping choices reflect their style.

By Jackie Wilson

A plethora of pots. A hillside of hostas. Wildflowers willy nilly. Manicured hedges and straight edges. From wild and unruly to precise and planned, the landscaping around a home often reflects the owner’s own unique style. While some prefer lush, thick foliage, others enjoy succulents among a garden of rocks. From a tropical vibe to the charm of a country cottage. From mad about mulch to mad for magnolias. Whatever their preferences, homeowners with a green thumb and plenty of imagination enjoy creating landscaping masterpieces with pizzazz.

Pond, rocks hidden in backyard
When Rob Brookhart wants to cool off on a hot day, he dips his toes in a cool pond. He doesn’t need to go far to get there. He simply opens his back patio door, walks about 20 feet to his backyard pond in Waukee and removes his shoes before testing the waters.

[...]

These celebrities were born on this date: Gisele Bündchen, Judy Greer, Carlos Santana, Omar Epps, Julianne Hough, Frank Whaley, Sandra Oh, Elliott Yamin, John Francis Daley, John Lodge, Simon Rex, T. G. Sheppard, Dean Winters, Josh Holloway, Percy Daggs III

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What’s the worst nail to hammer? A FINGER-NAIL! - Shane Goodman, Carolyn Rogers, Rex Post, William Snyder, Ron Sorenson, Lori Bluml

Today's riddle

What do you call a Ford Fiesta that has run out of gas?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Grimes/Dallas Center, North Polk or Adel Living magazines, contact:

Dan Juffer
Senior Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 303
Mobile: 515-371-2290
dan.juffer@dmcityview.com

©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE!